Montana Field Guide

The following is taken from Treherne and Buckell (1924), Vickery and Kevan (1985), and Capinera et al. (2004). The body is smaller than that of Mormon Cricket (Anabrus simplex). The head is not broader than the pronotum (thorax). The pronotum is smooth and shiny with a dorsal disk marked in the middle with 2 short posteriorly convergent sulci (groove/furrow) which sometimes unite into a U-shaped sulcus. The hind margin of the pronotal disk is broadly rounded. The legs are long, with the hind femur being at least two times longer than the pronotum and bearing short stout spines. The female ovipositor is slightly curved upward and about as long as the hind femur. Body color dark brown with at least half of the posterior dorsum yellowish, as is the apex of the hind femur.

Calling song description
To date, no accounts nor sonograms occur regarding this species.

This species is probably similar to Mormon Cricket (A. simplex). Eggs hatch in early spring and adults occur from July to September (Vickery and Kevan 1985).

The following comes from Caudell (1907), Treherne and Buckell (1924), Vickery and Kevan (1985), and Capinera et al. (2004). The male pronotum length is 12.25 mm and female is 12.5-13 mm. Male hind femur is 26 mm and 27-29 mm for females. The ovipositor is 26-28 mm. The male cerci has a long sweeping pointed curve and the upper inner tooth is only moderately developed (see illustration). The general body structure is similar to A. simplex.

The Long-legged Anabrus is easily confused with other shieldbacked katydids, often referred to as “Dectids” (subfamily Tettigoniinae, tribe Decticinae), especially its congener, the Mormon Cricket (A. simplex), where both species may overlap geographical ranges.

The Long-legged Anabrus inhabits sagebrush flats and mountain meadows. It prefers to reside close to any type of cover on open ranges and is usually found in brush coulees and around clumps of poplars (Treherne and Buckell 1924, and Vickery and Kevan 1985).

The Long-legged Anabrus feeds basically on forbs, especially mustards (Brassicacae) and primroses (Primulaceae). Later instars and adults will consume the leaves of grain crops and grasses and like its congener, are cannibalistic (Treherne and Buckell 1924, and Vickery and Kevan 1985).

Male Long-legged Anabrus attract females by singing (stridulating). When a female moves near, the male moves toward the female, follows her, strokes her with his antennae and stridulates continuously. After this the female mounts the male, passes her ovipositor between the male’s cerci and forces copulation. The male passes her a spermatophore and the pair decouple within a couple of minutes. The female carries the spermatophore for several hours to fertilize the eggs, and then consumes it. Nymphs pass through 7 nymphal instars before reaching the adult stage (Vickery and Kevan 1985).

Due to the Long-legged Anabrus’ limited geographic range, especially in Montana, it is a much less an important pest than its congener. An historical outbreak in British Columbia has been reported to have occurred in 1911, causing damage to onions and range grasses (Vickery and Kevan 1985).